Response to preoperative chemotherapy: impact of change in total burden score and mutational tumor status on prognosis of patients undergoing resection for colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Progression of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) on preoperative chemotherapy has been associated with a worse prognosis compared with patients who have responsive disease. Defining response can be challenging as traditional criteria largely assess only tumor size.

METHODS

Patients who underwent hepatectomy between 2010 and 2017 were identified using a multi-centric database. This study aimed to define the impact of preoperative chemotherapy response relative to initial tumor burden score (TBS) and determine impact of clinico-pathological variables on overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Among 784 patients who received preoperative chemotherapy, the regimen was oxaliplatin- (66%) or irinotecan-based (34%). Among patients with a TBS<6 at diagnosis, genetic status was the most important prognostic variable. Patients with a TBS<6, 5-year OS was 55%, 35%, and 0% for patients with KRAS/NRAS/BRAF wild-type, KRAS/NRAS, and BRAF mutations, respectively. Among patients who presented with CRLM with a TBS≥6, only Δ-TBS was prognostically important and patients with a Δ-TBS ≥ -10% had a 5-year OS of 27% compared with 49% for patients with a Δ-TBS < -10%.

CONCLUSIONS

Prognostic stratification of patients with CRLM receiving preoperative chemotherapy should be multi-faceted and include consideration of initial tumor burden, change in tumor burden due to chemotherapy, and tumor genetic status.

Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy-Stratification of Patient Risk

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains a major cause of morbidity following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We sought to develop and validate a risk score system that utilized preoperative computed tomography (CT) measurements, laboratory values, and intraoperative pancreatic texture to estimate risk of developing POPF after PD.

METHODS

Patients who underwent PD between 2014 and 2017 were identified. Pre- and intraoperative risk factors associated with POPF were identified. Three separate risk models were developed and assessed using multivariable analyses and receiver operating curves.

RESULTS

Among the 150 patients who underwent a PD, mean age was 64 years and the majority of the patients were male (59.3%, n = 89). Overall, the incidence of BL/POPF following PD was 22%. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with POPF included preoperative total serum protein < 6 g/dL (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.04-10.34, p = 0.04), radiologic pancreatic duct diameter (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53-0.97, p = 0.03), intraoperative pancreatic gland texture estimated by surgeon (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.05-0.62, p = 0.006), as well as intraoperative pancreatic duct diameter measured by surgeon (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61-0.98, p = 0.030). Each risk factor was assigned a weighted score (CT pancreatic duct diameter < 5 mm: 8 points; soft pancreatic gland texture: 5 points; total serum protein < 6 g/dL: 3 points; CT visceral abdominal fat ≥ 230 cm²: 2 points). Patients scoring 4-5 were at low risk of POPF, while patients with a score of 6-18 had a high risk for POPF. The Harrell's c-index for the scoring system was 0.71 (standard error [SD] 0.094) for the training set and 0.67 (SD 0.034) for the test set (with n = 1000 bootstrapping resamples).

CONCLUSION

A simple risk score for POPF that utilized preoperative radiologic and clinical variables combined with specific intra-operative factors was able to stratify patients relative to POPF risk with good discriminatory ability.

Complications after liver surgery: a benchmark analysis

BACKGROUND

The best achievable short-term outcomes after liver surgery have not been identified. Several factors may influence the post-operative course of patients undergoing hepatectomy increasing the risk of post-operative complications. We sought to identify risk-adjusted benchmark values [BMV] for liver surgery.

METHODS

The National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was used to develop Bayesian models to estimate risk-adjusted BMVs for overall and liver related (post-hepatectomy liver failure [PHLF], biliary leakage [BL]) complications. A separate international multi-institutional database was used to validate the risk-adjusted BMVs.

RESULTS

Among the 11,243 patients included in the NSQIP database, the incidence of complications, PHLF, and BL was 36%, 5%, and 8%, respectively. The risk-adjusted BMVs for complication (range, 16-72%), PHLF (range, 1%-20%), and BL (range, 4%-22%) demonstrated a high variability based on patients characteristics. When tested using an international database including nine institutes, the risk-adjusted BMVs for complications ranged from 26% (Institute-4) to 43% (Institute-1), BMVs for PHLF between 3% (Institute-3) and 12% (Institute-5), while BMVs for BL ranged between 5% (Institute-4) and 9% (Institute-7).

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple factors influence the risk of complications following hepatectomy. Risk-adjusted BMVs are likely much more applicable and appropriate in assessing "acceptable" benchmark outcomes following liver surgery.

Potential disease burden of patients with substance abuse undergoing major abdominal surgery: A propensity score-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Over 19 million Americans have a substance abuse disorder. The current study sought to characterize the relationship between substance abuse with in-hospital outcomes following major, elective abdominal surgery.

METHODS

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify patients who underwent major abdominal surgery between 2007 to 2014. Patients with preoperative substance abuse, including alcohol, opioids, and non-opioid drugs, were identified. Propensity score matching was used to examine the association of substance abuse with perioperative outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 301,659 patients, 7,925 patients (2.6%) had a history of substance abuse. Pancreatectomy was the surgical procedure with the highest proportion of patients with substance abuse history (n = 844, 4.7%). Compared with patients without a substance abuse history, patients with a substance abuse history were more likely to be younger (median age, 60 years [interquartile range (IQR) 52-69] vs 63 years [IQR 52-72]), male (n = 5,438, 67.5% vs n = 132,961, 54.7%), and be in the lowest income category (n = 2,062, 26% vs n = 64,345, 21.9%) (all P < .001). On propensity score matching, substance abuse was associated with increased odds ratio of experiencing a complication (odds ratio [OR] 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-1.82), non-home discharge (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.76-2.16), extended length of stay (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.76-2.02), and higher expenditure (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.49-1.77). Stratified by the type of substance abuse, patients with history of alcohol (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.44-1.71) and drug abuse (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.14-1.39) were more likely to experience a complication, whereas only history of alcohol abuse was associated with higher odds ratio of in-hospital mortality (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.07-1.79) (all P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Up to 1 in 50 patients undergoing complex abdominal surgery had a substance abuse history. History of substance abuse was associated with an increased risk of adverse perioperative outcomes and higher healthcare expenditures.

Trends in centralization of surgical care and compliance with National Cancer Center Network guidelines for resected cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

A retrospective study was performed to characterize trends in centralization of care and compliance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines for resected cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), and their impact on overall survival (OS).

METHODS

Using the National Cancer Database (NCDB) 2004-2015 we identified patients undergoing resection for CCA. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses identified time periods and hospital volume groups for comparison. Propensity score matching provided case-mix adjusted patient cohorts. Cox hazard analysis identified risk factors for OS.

RESULTS

Among the 40,338 patients undergoing resection for CCA, the proportion of patients undergoing surgery at high volume hospitals increased over time (25%-44%, p < 0.001), while the proportion of patients undergoing surgery at low volume hospitals decreased (30%-15%, p < 0.001). Using ROC analyses, a hospital volume of 14 operations/year was the most sensitive and specific value associated with mortality. Surgery at high volume hospitals [HR] = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.88-0.97, p < 0.001) and receipt of care compliant with NCCN guidelines (HR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.83-0.91, p < 0.001) were independently associated with improved OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Both centralization of surgery for CCA to high volume hospitals and increased compliance with NCCN guidelines were associated with significant improvements in overall survival.

Management and outcomes among patients with sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma: A population-based analysis

BACKGROUND

Few data are available regarding the management and outcomes among patients with sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to its rarity.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with sarcomatoid HCC from 2004 through 2015 were identified in the National Cancer Data Base. Overall survival (OS) was calculated among patients with sarcomatoid versus conventional HCC using a 1:3 propensity score matching based on sex, age, and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage of disease.

RESULTS

The final analytic cohort included 104 patients with sarcomatoid HCC and 312 patients with conventional HCC. Patients with sarcomatoid HCC more often had a larger median tumor size (8.5 cm vs 5.4 cm; P < .001) and poorly or undifferentiated tumors (52.9% vs 13.8%; P < .001) compared with patients who had conventional HCC. 5-year OS was worse among patients with sarcomatoid versus conventional HCC (5.7% vs 30.1%; P < .001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated worse 5-year OS among patients with sarcomatoid versus conventional HCC among patients treated with either curative-intent or palliative therapies. Stage-specific subgroup analysis indicated a worse OS among patients with AJCC stage I, stage II, or stage III sarcomatoid HCC. On multivariable analysis, uninsured status, advanced AJCC stage (stage III/stage IV), and histological sarcomatoid subtype were independently associated with worse outcomes (all P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcomatoid HCC is a very rare variant of HCC, which was associated with larger tumor size and worse tumor grade on presentation. On propensity score matched analyses that controlled for known confounding factors, patients with sarcomatoid HCC had a worse stage-for-stage long-term survival compared with patients who had conventional HCC.

A Multi-institutional International Analysis of Textbook Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Curative-Intent Resection of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Importance

Composite measures may be superior to individual measures for the analysis of hospital performance and quality of surgical care.

Objective

To determine the incidence of a so-called textbook outcome, a composite measure of the quality of surgical care, among patients undergoing curative-intent resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study involved an analysis of a multinational, multi-institutional cohort of patient from 15 major hepatobiliary centers in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia who underwent curative-intent resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma between 1993 and 2015. Data analysis was conducted from April 2018 to May 2018.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Hospital variation in the composite end point of textbook outcome, defined as negative margins, no perioperative transfusion, no postoperative surgical complications, no prolonged length of stay, no 30-day readmissions, and no 30-day mortality. Secondary end points were factors associated with achieving textbook outcomes.

Results

Among 687 patients (of whom 370 [53.9%] were men; median patient age, 61 [range, 18-86] years) undergoing curative-intent resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a textbook outcome was achieved in 175 patients (25.5%). Being 60 years or younger (odds ratio [OR], 1.61 [95% CI, 1.04-2.49]; P = .03), absence of preoperative jaundice (OR, 4.40 [95% CI, 1.28-15.15]; P = .02), no neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR, 2.57 [95% CI, 1.05-6.29]; P = .04), T1a/T1b-stage disease (OR, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.01-2.49]; P = .049), N0 status (OR, 3.89 [95% CI, 1.77-8.54]; P = .001), and no bile duct resection (OR, 2.46 [95% CI, 1.25-4.84]; P = .009) were independently associated with achieving a textbook outcome after resection. A prolonged length of stay had the greatest negative association with a textbook outcome. A nomogram to assess the probability of textbook outcome was developed and had good accuracy in both the training data set (area under the curve, 0.755) and validation data set (area under the curve, 0.763).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, while hepatic resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was performed with less than 5% mortality in specialized centers, a textbook outcome was achieved in only approximately 26% of patients. A textbook outcome may be useful for the reporting of patient-level hospital performance and hospital variation, leading to quality improvement efforts after resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Hot spotting surgical patients undergoing hepatopancreatic procedures

BACKGROUND

The burden of health care spending in the United States is a major concern, as health care costs have exponentially increased during the last three decades. The objective of the current study was to investigate the degree of cost-concentration among Medicare patients undergoing liver and pancreatic surgery.

METHODS

Medicare claims data from 2013 to 2015 were used to identify patients undergoing elective liver and pancreatic resections. Patients were divided into four groups: 1) non-complex pancreatic procedures; 2) complex pancreatic procedures; 3) non-complex liver procedures; and 4) complex liver procedures. Unadjusted price-standardized Medicare payments were calculated and payments were divided into quintiles. Patient-level factors associated with payments were analyzed by multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS

A total of 17,125 patients were included in the study. Patients in the top quintile of spending accounted for over 40% of payments for all liver and pancreatic procedures. Patients with comorbidity scores ≥5, male sex, open surgical approach and a diagnosis of congestive heart failure were associated with higher costs.

CONCLUSION

Patients undergoing liver and pancreatic resections on the top 20% of payments were responsible for a disproportionate share of Medicare payments - over 40% of total expenditures. Overall hospital surgical volume was lower among the highest quintile of payments.

Population level outcomes and costs of single stage colon and liver resection versus conventional two-stage approach for the resection of metastatic colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The objective of the current study was to compare outcomes among patients combined colon (CR) and liver resection (LR) for the treatment of simultaneous colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) versus patients undergoing two-stage CR and LR.

METHODS

Patients undergoing surgery for CRLM between 2004 and 2014 were identified using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Propensity-score matching was used to compare patients undergoing CR + LR with patients undergoing two-stage CR and LR.

RESULTS

Among 83,410 patients, CR + LR was performed in 5659 (6.7%), stage C + LR was performed in 5659 (6.7%), while isolated CR and LR was performed in 70,177 (84.0%) and 7574 (9.3%) patients, respectively. The number of patients undergoing CR + LR increased from 423 in 2004 to 580 in 2014 (Δ = +37%). Patients undergoing CR + LR had lower postoperative morbidity (CR + LR vs. two-staged CR and LR: 38.5% vs. 61.2%), shorter LOS (median LOS: 8 days [IQR: 7-12] vs. 14 days [IQR: 10-21]), and lower postoperative mortality (3.1% vs. 5.9%) versus patients undergoing two-stage CR and LR. Compared with patients undergoing two-staged CR and LR, median hospital costs were $13,093 lower for patients undergoing CR + LR (median costs: $36,775 [IQR: 26,416-54,245] vs. $23,682 [IQR: 16,299-32,996]).

CONCLUSION

CR + LR was increasingly performed for treatment of CRLM. Compared with two-staged CR and LR, CR + LR was associated with improved outcomes and lower costs.

Index versus Non-index Readmission After Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery: Where Do Patients Go to Be Readmitted?

INTRODUCTION

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has identified readmission as an important quality metric. With an increased emphasis on regionalization of complex hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery to high-volume centers, care of readmitted HPB patients may be fragmented if readmission occurs at a non-index hospital. We sought to define the proportion of HPB readmissions, as well as evaluate outcomes, that occur at an index versus non-index hospitals and to identify factors associated with non-index hospital readmission.

METHODS

The National Readmissions Database (NRD) was used to identify patients who underwent major HPB surgery between 2010 and 2015. Factors associated with readmission at 30 and 90 days at index versus non-index hospitals were analyzed. Differences in mortality and complications were analyzed among patients readmitted to index versus non-index hospitals.

RESULTS

A total of 49,080 patients underwent HPB surgery (liver n = 27,081, 55%; pancreas n = 14,787, 30%; biliary n = 7212, 15%). Overall, 6643 (14%) and 11,709 (24%) patients were readmitted within 30 and 90 days, respectively. Among all first readmissions, 18 and 21% were to a non-index hospital within the first 30 and 90 days, respectively. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with readmission to a non-index hospital included age (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.05, 1.34), pancreatic cancer (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.14, 1.34) and ≥ 3 comorbidities (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.10, 1.63), while procedures on the pancreas (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.61, 0.80), private insurance (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.68, 0.87), initial admission at a large hospital (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.65, 0.91), and initial admission length of stay > 7 days (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69, 0.86) were associated with decreased odds of a non-index hospital readmission (all p < 0.05). Patients readmitted to a non-index hospital had higher inpatient mortality (3.7 vs. 2.7%, p = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

Roughly 1 in 5 patients were readmitted to a non-index hospital where the initial HPB operation had not taken place. Readmission to a non-index hospital was associated with higher overall in-hospital mortality. The impact of regionalization of HPB care relative to site of subsequent readmission may have important implications for patients.

Impact of body mass index on tumor recurrence among patients undergoing curative-intent resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma- a multi-institutional international analysis

BACKGROUND

The association between body mass index (BMI) and long-term outcomes of patients with ICC has not been well defined. We sought to define the presentation and oncologic outcomes of patients with ICC undergoing curative-intent resection, according to their BMI category.

METHODS

Patients who underwent resection of ICC were identified in a multi-institutional database. Patients were categorized as normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m²) and obese (BMI≥30 kg/m²) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition. Impact of clinico-pathological factors on recurrence-free survival (RFS) was assessed using Cox proportional hazards model among patients in the three BMI categories.

RESULTS

Among a total of 790 patients undergoing curative-intent resection of ICC in the analytic cohort, 399 (50.5%) had normal weight, 274 (34.7%) were overweight and 117 (14.8%) were obese. Caucasian patients were more likely to be obese (66.7%, n = 78) and overweight (47.1%, n = 129) compared with Asian (obese: 18.8%, n = 22; overweight: 46%, n = 126) and other races (obese: 14.5%, n = 17; overweight: 6.9%, n = 19)(p < 0.001). There were no differences in the presence of cirrhosis (10.9%, vs. 12.8%, vs. 12.9%), preoperative jaundice (8.6% vs. 9.5% vs. 12.0%), or levels of CA 19-9 (75, IQR 24.6-280 vs. 50.9, IQR 17.9-232 vs. 43, IQR 16.9-192.7) among the BMI groups (all p > 0.05). On multivariable analysis, increased BMI was an independent risk factor for tumor recurrence (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02-1.32, for every 5 unit increase).

CONCLUSION

Increasing BMI was associated with incremental increases in the risk of recurrence following curative-intent resection of ICC. Future studies should aim to achieve a better understanding of BMI-related factors relative to prognosis of patients with ICC.

Variation in the cost-of-rescue among medicare patients with complications following hepatopancreatic surgery

BACKGROUND

The relationship of expenditures related to rescuing patients from complications and hospital quality has not been well characterized. We sought to examine the relationship between payments for treating post-operative complications after liver and pancreas surgery and hospital quality.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent hepatopancreatic surgery was performed using claims data from 2013 to 2015 in the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) database. Medicare payments for index hospitalization and readmissions, as well as perioperative clinical outcomes were analyzed. Hospitals were stratified using average payments for patients who were rescued from complications (cost-of-rescue).

RESULTS

A total of 13,873 patients and 737 hospitals were included in the analyses. Patient characteristics were similar across hospitals. Risk-adjusted rates of overall complications were higher at the highest cost-of-rescue hospitals (relative risk [RR], 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.58), as well as rates of serious complications (RR, 1.78, 95% CI 1.51-2.09), 30-day readmission (RR 1.21 95% CI 1.06-1.39), 90-day mortality (RR, 1.29, 95% CI 1.01-1.64), and rates of failure-to-rescue (RR, 1.50, 95% CI 1.14-1.97).

CONCLUSION

Highest cost-of-rescue hospitals demonstrated worse quality metrics, including higher rates of serious complications, failure-to-rescue, 30-day readmission, and 90-day mortality.

Readmission after pancreatic resection: causes, costs and cost-effectiveness analysis of high versus low quality hospitals using the Nationwide Readmission Database

BACKGROUND

Objectives were to determine the causes of readmission and assess the cost-effectiveness of high (HQ) and low quality (LQ) hospitals in performing pancreatic resection, by using readmission rates as the measure of quality.

METHODS

We identified 53,572 pancreatic resection cases from National Readmission Database from 2010 through 2014. Hospitals were risk adjusted and ranked based on readmission. Top 20% HQ hospitals having the lowest readmission rates were compared to the bottom 20% LQ hospitals with the highest readmission rates.

RESULTS

The 90-day readmission rate was 27.2% (HQ: 25.7%, LQ: 30.9%, p < 0.001). Compared to LQ, HQ hospitals had lower mortality (2.1% vs 10.2%, p < 0.001) and major complication (10.5% vs 53%, p < 0.001). Major complication during index operation was a major predictor of readmission (RR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.6-1.7, p < 0.001). The optimal cut point of hospital volume associated with low mortality was 70 or more cases/year. Per year of survival benefit at HQ hospitals, the costs were lower by $9,293 with cost-savings of $6.98 million/year.

CONCLUSION

HQ hospitals were cost-effective at performing pancreatic resection and achieved substantial cost-savings by avoiding major complications during index operation and having lower rates of readmissions. Hospital readmission rate is a strong marker of quality of care.

Prognosis and Adherence with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines of Patients with Biliary Tract Cancers: an Analysis of the National Cancer Database

BACKGROUND

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend chemotherapy for patients with inoperable biliary tract cancers (BTC), as well as patients following resection of BTC with lymph node metastasis (N1)/positive margins (R1). We sought to define overall adherence, as well as long-term outcomes, with the NCCN guidelines for BTC using the National Cancer Database (NCDB).

METHODS

A total of 176,536 patients diagnosed with BTC at a hospital participating in the NCDB between 2004 and 2015 were identified.

RESULTS

Among all patients, 63% of patients received medical therapy (chemotherapy or best supportive care), 11% underwent surgical palliation, and 26% underwent curative-intent surgery. According to the NCCN guidelines, 86% (n = 152,245) of patients were eligible for chemotherapy, yet, only 42.2% (n = 64,615) received chemotherapy. Factors associated with a lower adherence with NCCN guidelines included patient age (> 65 years: OR = 1.02), ethnicity (Black: OR = 1.14, Hispanic: OR = 1.21, Asian: OR = 1.24), and insurance status (non-private: OR = 1.45, all p < 0.001). A smaller subset of patients was either recommended chemotherapy but refused (n = 9269, 10.6%) or had medical factors that contraindicated chemotherapy (n = 8275, 9.4%). On multivariable analysis, adjusting for clinical and tumor-specific factors, adherence with NCCN guidelines was associated with a survival benefit for patients receiving medical therapies (HR = 0.74) or undergoing curative-intent surgery (HR = 0.73, both p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Less than half of patients with BTC received systemic chemotherapy in adherence with NCCN guidelines. While a subset of patients had contraindications or refused chemotherapy, other factors such as insurance status and ethnicity were associated with adherence. Adherence with chemotherapy guidelines may influence long-term outcomes.

Patient preferences on the use of technology in cancer surveillance after curative surgery: A cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND

Advances in communication technology have enabled new methods of delivering test results to cancer survivors. We sought to determine patient preferences regarding the use of newer technology in delivering test results during cancer surveillance.

METHODS

A single institutional, cross-sectional analysis of the preferences of adult cancer survivors regarding the means (secure digital communication versus phone call or office visit) to receive surveillance test results was undertaken.

RESULTS

Among 257 respondents, the average age was 59.1 years (SD 13.5) and 61.8% were female. Common malignancies included melanoma/sarcoma (29.5%), thyroid (25.7%), breast (22.8%), and gastrointestinal (22.0%) cancer. Although patients expressed a relative preference to receive normal surveillance results via MyChart or secure e-mail, the majority preferred abnormal imaging (87.2%) or blood results (85.9%) to be communicated by in-office appointments or phone calls irrespective of age or cancer type. Patients with a college degree or higher were more likely to prefer electronic means of communication of abnormal blood results compared with a telephone call or in-person visit (odds ratio 2.18, 95% confidence interval: 1.01-4.73, P < .05). In contrast, patients >65 years were more likely to express a preference for telephone or in-person communication of normal imaging results (odds ratio: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.16-3.56, P < .05) versus patients ≤65 years. Preference also varied according to malignancy type.

CONCLUSION

Although many cancer patients preferred to receive "normal" surveillance results electronically, the majority preferred receiving abnormal results via direct conversation with their provider. Shifting routine communication of normal surveillance results to technology-based applications may improve patient satisfaction and decrease health care system costs.